In the Messianic application this psalm properly follows that in which the work of the Christ as Saviour is portrayed. It is to those whom He has won through His passion that He becomes known as the Shepherd.
Of course, this psalm, as written, is even more wonderful because of the fact that its author did not live in the light of Jehovah which has come to us through the Incarnation. It shows us how very clearly faith saw through the mists of those preparatory days to some of the most precious-things about God. We still read the wonderful words of Jehovah and understand them, but the revelation of Him in Jesus is our interpretation and the psalm becomes richer for that fact. It is an unruffled song of rest. All the circumstances of the pilgrimage, want, weariness, journeyings, wanderings, perplexities, the shadowed mystery of the valleys, the thronging enemies, and the infinite beyond, are present and the singer knows them. They are mentioned however, only to sing of their negation by the graciousness of the Shepherd. Want is canceled. For weariness He has green pastures of rest. On journeys He leads by pleasant ways. From wanderings He restores. Through perplexities He guides and that by right ways. In the valleys of death's shadow His presence cancels fear. In the presence of enemies He makes a feast and is a Host royal in bounty. And finally the path runs on, not into a tangled wilderness but by the King's own palace.